COLUMBUS — Governor John Kasich says he’s pleased with the roughly $71 billion spending blueprint now on his desk, but noted some items will get vetoed.
Kasich wouldn’t say Friday what he would strike from the measure, though he described one Medicaid-related idea as “clunky.” He said final decisions on vetoes have not been made.
The Republican governor praised the budget’s income tax cut, tax relief for small businesses and investments in K-12 education.
The final budget proposal approved Friday cuts taxes by a total of more than $1.8 billion over the next two years and includes an across-the-board 6.3 percent income tax decrease, dropping the rate on the wealthiest Ohians to below 5 percent, the lowest it’s been since 1982. It also places a tax on cigarettes at 35 cents a pack.
“Our goal of cutting taxes for hardworking Ohioans, ensuring funding for schools and supporting important initiatives that help various projects in the state has been achieved,” said House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Wilmington).
Minority Democrats maintained their criticism of the spending plan.
“From the tax cuts for the extremely wealthy to provisions that strip workers of their rights, this budget prioritizes special interests at the expense of the middle class,” Rep. Nick Celebrezze (D-Parma) said.
Kasich says he’ll continue pushing for a tax hike on oil-and-gas drillers that lawmakers stripped from the bill. Legislative leaders instead opted earlier this month to send the proposal to a task force to make a recommendation.
Kasich’s deadline to sign the budget bill is Tuesday.